One woman has died after a massive fire broke out on a casino shuttle boat off of Florida's west coast Sunday afternoon, sending people fleeing into the frigid water on an unusually cold day, officials said.
Initially, it looked like an amazing story of survival — if a close call.
— New Port Richey PD (@NPRPD) January 14, 2018
Video footage showed people jumping overboard as the boat became an inferno, with black smoke billowing.
"50 people on board and all safely made it to shore," Pasco County Fire Rescue posted to Twitter early Sunday evening.
But later Sunday, a woman arrived at the hospital after "becoming ill," Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point spokesman Kurt Conover told The Associated Press.
She died there later that night, Conover said.
Pasco County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kevin Doll told the wire service that the victim was 42.
In all, officials said 15 people were hospitalized with what was described as non-life-threatening injuries, including smoke inhalation.
Port Richey Police Chief Gerard DeCanio told the AP that the shuttle boat, which ferries people back and forth to the Tropical Breeze Casino Cruise, began experiencing engine problems soon after it left the dock in Port Richey.
More pictures from yesterday's casino boat fire. Pics courtesy of our Marine Unit. pic.twitter.com/ZzQQyqhm1W
— New Port Richey PD (@NPRPD) January 15, 2018
As the flames and smoke grew worse, the crew turned back and got close enough to shore to ground the vessel before it was overcome.
"It looked pretty dramatic because the shuttle boat burned really fast," DeCanio told the wire service.
Video footage showed nothing but the boat's charred frame remaining as the flames continued to burn.
Port Richey residents watched people jump around 12 feet down into waist-deep water and wade to shore.
"All of us, my family and the neighbors, brought them towels and water," Bakr Jandali told the AP. "They were so cold."
Lows dipped down to 38 degrees Sunday in nearby Tampa.
The Coast Guard got the call about the blaze around 4:20 p.m., local time, and launched all area boats to the scene, Petty Officer 1st Class Michael De Nyse told NPR. "It was all hands on deck," he said.
De Nyse said that the cause of the blaze is unknown. "We are continuing our investigation of the boat fire," he said.
Tropical Breeze Casino spokeswoman Beth Fifer tells the AP that the company had never experienced a problem with the boat and does not know why the fire broke out.
"We are deeply saddened for the loss of our passenger, the 14 injured and anyone else who was affected by this tragedy," Fifer said.
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